The Prius isn’t precisely the primary automobile that involves thoughts for overlanding. However one California-based entrepreneur has constructed a whole enterprise proving it might maintain its personal on the dust.
A Prius That Can Deal with the Backcountry
When most individuals image an overlanding rig, they’re considering lifted vehicles, locking differentials, and beefy all-terrain tires. A Toyota Prius isn’t one thing you’d anticipate to see in that crowd, however in overlanding and off-road communities on-line, a rising variety of Prius homeowners are pushing again on that assumption. A variety of individuals are putting in elevate kits, roof racks, skid plates, and light-weight bars, and driving their hybrids into locations you wouldn’t look forward to finding them.
On the middle of that area of interest is Eric, founding father of Prius Offroad, a one-man operation based mostly close to Chico, California, that designs and sells off-road elements particularly for second by fifth-generation Prius fashions, the Prius V, Prius C, and 2009–2026 Corollas.
How a Divorce and a Lengthy Commute Constructed a Enterprise
Eric didn’t begin out as a Prius man. Earlier than his first hybrid, he was driving an Audi S6 and a Cummins-powered Dodge truck on 40-inch tires. However after a divorce left his then-six-month-old son dwelling 400 miles north in Chico, Eric wanted a automobile that might deal with 1,000-mile weekends with out bleeding him dry on the pump and will double as a spot to sleep.
“I began trying round and went, ‘Gosh, you already know, I hate to confess it, however a Prius sort of is sensible,’” Eric mentioned. “I get nice gas economic system, and so they drive effectively, and I can fold the seats down, and within the summers, I can have air-con operating all night time, and I can survive that.”
He additionally used the Prius to journey throughout the Western U.S. for base leaping — which meant often needing to cowl 15 miles of tough dust street to achieve a trailhead after 2,000 miles of freeway. Moderately than commerce the Prius for one thing with extra floor clearance, Eric drew on his background constructing pre-runners for the Baja 1000 and fabricated his personal elevate equipment.
“I simply utilized that information and constructed myself a bit of elevate equipment,” he mentioned.
The modified Prius turned heads all over the place he drove it. Gasoline station stops changed into conversations. Notes appeared on his windshield. Individuals flagged him down on the freeway.
“I sort of thought folks had been making enjoyable of me at first,” Eric mentioned. Inside six months, he had collected 40 cellphone numbers from folks asking him to construct them one.
The 1.5-Inch Candy Spot
Eric’s elevate kits elevate trip top by 1.5 inches utilizing suspension spacers put in on the high of every coilover shock. He didn’t come by that quantity arbitrarily.
“I hit the drafting board with a number of elevate designs, and I began with a three-inch elevate, and I used to be like, ‘That appears ridiculous.’ And it’s placing method an excessive amount of pressure on all of the suspension parts,” Eric mentioned. He examined a two-inch elevate subsequent, however wasn’t comfy with it both. “My concept is, if I wouldn’t put my son within the automobile with it, why would I promote it to clients to place their youngsters in it?”
He commonly turns down requests for taller lifts. “I can, however I gained’t,” he mentioned. “I’ve to have the ability to look myself within the mirror every day and be proud of the individual that I’m, and I wouldn’t really feel good simply taking cash to place different folks’s lives in danger.”
Curiously, some clients have reported a slight improve in gas economic system after putting in the elevate. Eric attributes it to smoother momentum on the town moderately than any aerodynamic change. The caveat: change to all-terrain tires, and people good points disappear quick.
“For each pound you improve tire weight, you primarily lose a mile per gallon,” Eric defined. “Going from a low rolling resistance tire to an all-terrain tire, you’re going to realize nearly 10 kilos. You’re going to lose 10 miles per gallon.”
Who’s Truly Shopping for Prius Off-Highway Kits?
The client base isn’t a bunch of hardcore rock crawlers. In keeping with Eric, most patrons are outside fanatics who simply want their Prius to clear a rutted forest street or a rocky campsite method.
“The largest factor for me is the folks which might be like, ‘I wish to get outdoors and revel in what’s in my yard, however I would like one thing that may get me to the trailhead, and my Prius isn’t chopping it, and I can’t actually afford to purchase an SUV,’” he mentioned. “I’m all about making do with what you’ve obtained.”
Solely about 5% of his clients are doing something resembling critical off-roading. The remaining are campers, hikers, and bikers who need extra versatility from a automobile they already personal and have paid off.
Working the Enterprise Solo
Prius Offroad is, by Eric’s personal account, a full-time obsession. On days with out his son, he works from 5 a.m. to midnight.
“I in all probability put in 80 hours every week, however I genuinely like it,” he mentioned.
As for the longer term, Eric isn’t chasing fast progress. He’s content material serving a distinct segment that hardly existed earlier than he confirmed as much as fill it — and he’s open to promoting when the appropriate purchaser comes alongside.
“I’d like to promote at that time limit, however till I discover the appropriate purchaser on the proper worth, and it is sensible for me, I’m going to be operating it till the day I die.”
Supply: The Autopian
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